After missing the last three games due to NBA health and safety protocols, Kevin Durant is set to return Sunday against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the team announced.
However, Kyrie Irving will miss the third game in a row for personal reasons.
The Nets chose not to explain Irving’s absence, and coach Steve Nash said Friday that he had communicated with the All-Star Guard, but wanted to keep those conversations private. Asked if he was happy with Irving’s level of communication, Nash said again that he wanted to keep that intimacy, a feeling he continued before the Nets faced the Thunder.
“I will keep all communication with Ky between the organization private,” Nash said Sunday, “but I’m sure you’ll hear from him at some point.”
Asked if he had any idea of a timeline for Irving’s return, Nash said he didn’t.
Durant, who tested positive for COVID-19 last spring and still has antibodies in his tests, recently had close exposure that forced him to stay with a mandatory seven-day quarantine.
“Kevin is excited. He was devastated that he had to stay,” Nash said. “We all know he loves the game and likes to hoop, so he’s excited to be there and obviously we have a happy coach to get him back.”
Without Durant and Irving, the Nets have shared their last two games.